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(Model) J. F. HILL.

WASHINGMAGHINE.

119.281.9596. Patented July 24, 1883.

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. UNITE STATES PATENT Fries,

JAMES F. HILL, OF FLEETVVOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF TXVO- THIRDS TO JAMES F. DUMN AND MOSES FOLK, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

WASHING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 281,996, dated July-24, 1883,

Application filed September 14, 1882. (Model.)

T aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES F. HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fleetwood, in the county of Berks and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVashing-lliachines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

IO making a part of this specification, and to the letters andfigures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of my invention, and Fig. 2 a longitudi nal section thereof.

This invention has reference to that class of washing-machines wherein the cleansing of the clothes is effected by means of a vibrating perforated or slatted dasher and perforated side pieces or racks hinged or pivoted to the interior of the suds-box, and connected to the dasher by pivoted rods to impart thereto a motion corresponding with that of the dasher, but in opposite directions, the object being to agitate the clothes placed between the dasher and side pieces or racks, and thus facilitate the removal of the dirt therefrom. Means have also been provided in what is termed a beater, adapted to vibrate within the suds box, said beater consisting of a series of bars,

forming the sides thereof, and sliding or adjustable upon upright strips, the object being to clamp the fabric and hold it between the bars, so that a portion of the fabric requiring the least rubbing will be retained within the 3 5 interior of the beater, while other portions, re-

quiring a greater degree of rubbing, will be located upon the outside thereof and subjected to the rubbing action. against the sides of the suds-box. This beater, which in construction is Very similar to the ordinary mophead, wherein the mop is clamped and held in a like mannerbetween two sliding bars, could not in any respect he termed a receptacle for wholly containing the fabric within it; and, so far as I am aware, no provision has heretofore been made for keeping separate and independent of each other within the suds-box two different kinds or qualities of fabrics such as lace and woolens, or fabrics of different degrees of textureand by one and the same operation wash and cleanse them without injury to either.

It is well known that where extremely fine and delicate fabricssuch as lace handkerchiefs, lace collars and cuffs, and a like class of articles formed of delicate tissues of thread interwoven-are placed with woolens or similar coarse and heavy goods and washed together that the laces will frequently become injured by the pulling out and tearing of the threads resulting from their rough handling necessary in washing the coarser and heavier goods.

The object of the present invention is to convert the hcreinbeforedescribed vibrating dasher into a receptacle for containing the laces and other delicate fabrics, whereby they will be perfectly cleansed and washed by the press ure of water through the receptacle as the latter isvibrated, while it is free to act in the capacity of a dasher to wash by constantly act ing upon the coarser goods placed between it and vibratory racks connected to the interior of the suds-box. Thus both kinds or classes of fabric are kept separated from each other and thoroughly washed and cleansed without injury by the vibrating motion of the recep .tacle and racks. These several objects I attain by the construction, substantially as shown in the drawings, and hereinafter described and claimed.

111 the accompanying drawings, A represents the suds-box, of any desirable form, supported upon legs B and provided with an outlet,

a, for drawing off the water. The box A is provided with a removable cover, consisting of a central section, b, and outer sections, a, suitably hinged thereto, the central section being held in place by latches (I, connected to the sides of the suds-box. The outer and hinged sections 0 are each provided upon their upper sides with cleats c, which are beveled at their outer ends, said cleats running in a direction with the length of the sudsbox. Clamps D are, pivotally connected to the legs B, or to the sides of the suds-box A, so that they can be 9 5 swung around and over the cleats eand firmly clamp or hold the hinged sections in place. The bevel ends of the cleats c act as wedges,

in connection with the clamp D, to draw the hinged sections a tightly down upon the top of I00 the suds-box, and thus prevent the escape of any water or suds.

Working in recesses f inthe central section, b, and pivotally connected to supports gthereon, are lever-arms E,which, at their lower ends, are formed with an enlarged extension to form the sides of the receptacle F, the front sides of the same being formed by a series of slats, 70, connected at their ends to the enlarged extensions of the handles a suitable distance apart to allow a free circulation of the water through the receptacle. The receptacle acts in the same capacity as the usual vibratory dasher, hcreinbefore referred to, and, in addition thereto, is adapted for receiving and holding lace or like delicate fabrics, and, therefore, unlike the dasher, it is provided with a closed bottom and a hinged cover, 71, with a hook and staple or other suitable fastening to hold the cover down in place, or closed to prevent thefabrics from working out or being forced out by the action of the water when the receptacle is in rapid motion.

To the bottom of the suds-box A, near its ends, are hinged segmental racks G,which, at their upper ends, are connected together by rods or straps i.

There are many peculiarities of construction not usually found in this class of washing-machines which are considered of importance in rendering the operation of the machine successful and effective. The racks G, as will be seen, are not flat or straight, as heretofore, but are constructed on a curve or segment of a circle; or, in other words, they are concavo-convex in form, the degree of curve correspond ing to the convex or curved slatted sides of the receptacle F. This form of rack,whichIterm segmental, in connection with the curved slatted sides of the receptacle, renders their effect upon the clothes more positive in cleansing them, and preventing the clothes from being pressed up over the ends of the racks and connecting rods or straps when the racks are brought forward, the tendency of the concave form of said racks being to press the clothes downward in an angular direction toward the receptacle.

The advantages of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention will be readily seen from the fact that both fine and coarse goods-sueh as laces and woolensare kept separate and independent of each other in one and the same suds-box, and by one and the same operation both classes of goods are thoroughly washed and cleansed without injury to the more delicate class.

In the operation of the machine, the laces or other fabric of like delicate texture are placed in the receptacle F, and the cover h securely fastened down in place, after which the woolens or other coarser goods are placed in the space between the sides of the receptacle and segmental racks G. The suds-box A is then partially filled with soap and water, after which the hinged sections are firmly and securely held in place by the clamps D, in connection with the bevelcleats c. The receptacle F, when vibrated by the handles or leverarms IE, will cause the pressure of water between the slats k and through the receptacle, and, being continuous and alternately in opposite directions, will be sufficient to thoroughly Wash and cleanse the laces or finer fabrics contained in the receptacle. The coarser goods, lying between the receptacle and racks,which require a greater amount of friction or rub bing, are acted upon conj ointly by the slats 7; of the vibratory receptacle F and the segmental racks G, in the usual manner. Thus it will be seen that the laces are not brought in frictional contact with any object to injure them, the force and current of water being the only means depended 011 to wash and cleanse them.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a washing-machine, the combination of two independent receptacles, both of which are provided with hinged covers at their top, and adapted to receive and hold the fabrics to be washed, one of said receptacles being placed within the other and pivoted, as described, so that it may be given a swinging or vibratory motion, whereby the fabrics in both recepta cles are washed by one and the same operation,

, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a washing-machine, the combination, with a suds-box adapted to receive the clothes to be washed, of an open slatted receptacle, provided at its top with ahinged cover, and means for fastening it closed, said receptacle being pivoted, as described,whereby it may have imparted to it a swinging or vibratory motion, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a washing-machine, a suds-box containing at or near each end hinged racks connected together, as described, in combination with an open slatted receptacle, provided at its top with a hinged cover, and means for fast ening it closed, said receptacle being placed within the suds-box and provided with sup ports pivoted, as described,whereby it may be given a swinging or vibratory motion and act conjointly with the racks to wash the clothes upon the outside and inside of the receptacle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. HILL.

\Vitnesses:

J AMES F. DUMN, Mosns FOLK. 

